Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Times Square Is Changing
By
Garth Johnston
Published Oct 8, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Oct 8, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Starting on November 3 Times Square is going to be doing a shuffle. In an attempt to clean up the mess of tourists, cars, vendors, cowboys and other obstacles the Department of Transportation and the Times Square Alliance are going to run a six-month test of a new traffic pattern. The biggest change in the new plan is the shutting down of the traffic lane which allows cars to stay on Seventh Avenue at the "bowtie" on 45th Street. Instead all southbound Seventh Avenue traffic will be forced to go down Broadway. But that's not all!
There'll also be changes for bikers through Times Square. A 5-foot-wide bicycle lane on Seventh between 48th and 43rd will be closed, and new signs will direct cyclists through the area.
Times Square also will lose a bus stop on Seventh between 44th and 43rd. Two other stops on Broadway and Seventh will be moved.
In addition, some sidewalks will be widened and crosswalks will be added to allow 50 percent more pedestrian traffic in the congested hot spot.
Though we're not so happy about losing any bike lanes in the City, we think this sounds like a pretty good idea. Anything to make that area safer for the tourists who fill up the square, not to mention the thousands of office workers trying to get out, is a good thing. And we love that the DOT is doing this as a test rather than a permanent change.
Times Square by Joe Holmes via Contribute.
Tagged
bicycle
bike
broadway
bus
city
department of transportation
dot
get out
Joe Holmes
love
News: NYC
pedestrian
photos
Seventh Avenue
Times Square
times square alliance
traffic
transportation
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
The Bronx is getting a new casino and a reimagined Ferry Point Park, too
Here's a look at designs for a redeveloped park, including new amenities, landscaping and other improvements.
By
Willow Higgins
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
News
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .